By: Doyal Kocchar & & Neehansh Kocchar
“Strength and Dignity are her clothing , and she laughs at the times to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks good at her household’s ways and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed” .
“Positive parenting techniques work well for raising children with discipline and good moral values, and are every parents’ dream”.
A garden with different flowers becomes beautiful when it blossoms. Similarly, if parents learn how to be a ‘gardener’ and are able to recognise their child’s personality and nourish it, then their ‘garden’ will become fragrant! This is what positive parenting is all about!
Mothers are the primary caregivers and nurturers, responsible for providing love, care, and support to their children from birth to adulthood.
- Why is Mother-Child Relationship Important.
- How to Build and Maintain Strong Bond With Your Child.
Why is a Mother and a Child Relationship Important?
- Holding them
- Providing a safe living environment
- Talking to them
- Laughing and playing with them
- Making sure they get enough sleep
- Feeding them and eating with them at mealtimes
- Having appropriate expectations for them and setting limits
- Learning to understand their unique way of expressing themselves (i.e. facial expressions, sounds they make, how they communicate their needs)
How to Build and Maintain Strong Bond With Your Child.
Show Your Love
Human touch and loving affection is needed at every stage of our lives for healthy emotional and neurobiological development. It is important that your child receive gentle, loving touch (i.e. hugs) from you several times throughout the day. Treat every interaction as an opportunity to connect with your child. Greet them with warm expressions, give eye contact, smile, and encourage honest interaction.
Say “I love you” often
It is often implied that we love our children, but be sure to tell them every day, no matter what age they are. Even when your child is being difficult or does something you don’t like; this can be an excellent opportunity to remind them that you love them unconditionally. A simple “I love you” can have a major impact on your long-term relationship with your child.
Set boundaries, rules, and consequences
Children need structure and guidance as they grow and learn about the world around them. Talk to your children about what you expect of them and make sure they understand. When rules are broken, make sure to have age-appropriate consequences in place and be consistent with them.
Listen and empathise
Connection starts with listening. Acknowledge your child’s feelings, show them you understand, and reassure them that you are there to help with whatever they need. Try to see things from your child’s perspective. By listening and empathising with your child, you will begin to foster mutual respect.
Play Together
Playing is so important to a child’s development. It is the tool through which children develop language skills, express emotions, foster creativity, and learn about social skills. Additionally, it is a fun way for you to strengthen your relationship with your child. It does not matter what you play. The key is to just enjoy each other and commit to giving your child your undivided attention.
Be available and remain distraction-free
Setting aside just 10 minutes a day to talk to your child, without distractions, can make a big difference in establishing good communication habits. Turn off the TV, put away your electronic devices, and spend some quality time together. Your child needs to know that you believe they are a priority in your life despite the many distractions and stressors that come your way.
Eat meals together
Eating together as a family can often lead to great conversation and bonding time with your child. Encourage everyone to put their phones or other devices away and simply enjoy each other’s company. Meal time is also a great opportunity for you to teach your children the importance of a healthy and balanced diet, which also effects their overall mental health.
Create parent-child rituals
If you have more than one child, try to make a point of spending individual time with each of them. Quality, one-on-one time with your child can strengthen the parent-child bond, builds up your child’s self-esteem, and lets them know that they are special and valued.
Some parents schedule in special “date nights” with their children to create that one-on-one opportunity (whether it’s a walk around the neighbourhood, a trip to the playground, or just a movie at home – it’s important to celebrate each child individually).
“Every young adult has the potential power to help the entire world. He just needs the right guidance and support,”